Hallmark (Marked Series #3) | NCT Mark AU Fiction

Chapter Nine

Loser: The Fifth Challenge

Every Saturday never felt so stressful and infuriating. I have plates to do for my classes, assignments from different subjects, reports – there's just so much to do and to think of recently. I suddenly don't what my real purpose is in this messed up life I have right now.

Saturdays always felt happy and just rainbows and butterflies but it just never is the same after I accepted the challenge. Every week, I feel like I'm a detective trying to figure out what comes next. Somewhat similar to the events that happened in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

"Our next challenger, all the way from New Jersey,"

"New Jersey..." Mark says. "Chloe?"

"Ms. Chloe Stuart!"

I hear Mark scoff. "No way. She got time for this? Really?" he mumbles. What does that have to mean? Is she a celebrity? Maybe? Holy crap! "This isn't too prestigious for her to show up her face like that though." The thought of Mark having these monologues are starting to scare me.

"Today's challenge," the host paused. "—is all about hitting the highest of the highest note there is..." Oh no. "Singing." What? No. So she is a celebrity – sorta. "The challengers will both have an hour to prepare for this and later after, they will be performing their pieces on stage. Best of lucks to the both of you."

Chloe didn't even look that bothered. She looked calm and confident. Her rude eyes with her rude brows raising tells me that she doesn't even need to practice for an hour for this. That's how confident she looks and I don't feel so good. Of all the things... singing.

When I was in my personal room, which is the same room they make me go to whenever we do the challenges separately, the door suddenly opened. I see Mark, his friends (except Taeyong), and Hikaru step inside the room. "What are you guys doing here?" I asked in shock because I didn't think they'd be allowed to be here. For all I know, I could be disqualified for this.

"Hey! Why aren't you practicing! That Chloe girl is already breaking everyone's ear from inside her room! Why are you not even making any noise?" My brother suddenly fired at me so I glared at him, crossing my arms in disbelief.

"Nami's a good singer. She'll be able to handle this."

"How can you put so much faith in her? She's the most untalented being I've met." Ouch? Johnny remarks which made me slap him this time – hard. He deserved it. He was never the kindest brother but he was never this rude before.

"You're the most untalented being on Earth. You can't even do simple Math!"

"Try me," He challenges so I squint my eyes.

"Two plus five minus six times four."

"Easy." Johnny replied but I smirked. "Negative one."

I snorted. "Stupid."

"Enough. We came here to mentor and check on, Nami." Thank God for Jaehyun for the nth time. "So what are you really planning to sing, Nami? Chloe's hitting pretty high notes while practicing. Will your vocal range be able to keep up with it?"

"She doesn't have to belt notes that she can't reach." Hikaru butts in. "She can sing anything for as long as it touches the heart of the audience. That's what real singing is." Touch the heart of the audience. That makes sense in a way.

"Hikuna's right. You just have to sing from the heart, princess. No pressure. Just pretend you're singing me something."

"It's Hikaru." Hikaru corrects.